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As part of our strategic three-year plan, we are committed to maintaining and updating aging facilities at our parks in Worland. Over the past decade, we've made significant contributions to Rotary Riverside Park, and most recently, we contributed $10,000 toward the development of a new pickleball facility at Newell Sargent Park, located at our baseball fields.
Upgrading the lighting on these fields is a critical next step-not only for safety and functionality, but for revitalizing our community's ability to host regional baseball and softball tournaments, as we once did. Our small town has felt the economic loss from no longer serving as the sports hub of the Big Horn Basin. Restoring tournament play-especially alongside the growing popularity of our new pickleball courts-has the potential to generate meaningful revenue for local businesses, including grocery stores, gas stations, hotels, and restaurants.
Currently, the wooden light posts are deteriorating, and several have already fallen, posing both safety hazards and limiting field use. With updated lighting, we can once again welcome teams and spectators, creating lasting economic and recreational benefits for Worland. Unfortunately, replacing the existing wooden light poles with long-lasting metal ones comes at a significant cost-approximately $100,000 per pole. While full replacement is beyond our current scope, we are actively working toward that goal.
At this time, we are requesting funds to support key improvements that will help us build momentum and community engagement. These include signage for our new Rotary Pickleball Facility, repairs to two perimeter fences at the ballfields, and general maintenance to ensure the parks remain safe and welcoming.
By making these immediate upgrades, we hope to generate local excitement and lay the groundwork for a larger fundraising effort, including the pursuit of matching donors and future grants dedicated specifically to upgrading our field lighting. With your support, we can take meaningful steps toward fully revitalizing this vital recreational space for Worland and the surrounding Big Horn Basin.
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